Change of the Winds

As Crysania's Voyager departed from the Imperial Cruiser, Zara sat back in the co-pilots chair and sighed. Crysania engaged the hyperdrive. " Are you having doubts? " She asked. Zara turned to regard her. " Doubts about helping to return slaves to their home? No. That's why I joined the New Republic in the first place. Doubts about working with Imperials? Yes. " Zara stood up and turned to the door. " I'm going to chat with the Togorians for a bit. " Crysania got up herself and followed Zara out of the cockpit. " I don't understand why you hate the Empire so much. " She said as Zara was crossing the lounge to the cargo hold. Zara stopped at the door and turned back to Crysania. " The Empire made me who I am today. It was Imperial Slavers that attacked Togoria in the first place. " After a moment, Crysania said. " Why can't you except that not all Imperials are evil. I'm able to believe you're not a rebel pirate. Mac is a good man and does what he can to help others. " Zara thought for a moment. " It's more then just trusting one man. Your husband has already started proving himself by seeking passage for these Togorians. How can I convince the New Republic that an Imperial Commander is trying to free slaves without bringing repercussions from both sides? " He said as he returned to the comfortable lounge chair. Crysania took on a look of shock. " You can't! " She began. " Mac doesn't intend for you to bring the New Republic into this. " A moment passed. " Then what does he intend for me to do? " Zara finally asked. " Nothing! " Was the reply. Zara was confused but Crysania continued. " All Mac has asked of you was to help get the Togorians home. Whatever you read beyond that isn't what he said. " She finished. Zara looked down at the deck plates. " But he said there was more. " he mumbled to himself more than spoke to Crysania. She sighed. " And he will find a way for them to get home. He has before and will again. " She said. Zara didn't reply. After a moment, Crysania threw up her hands and headed back to the cockpit.


Zara looks around from the seat atop his mosgoth and friend, Zotos, the destruction of his home around him was devastating. All the Togorian females were gone! Including the the closest thing to a mother he ever knew. Tears welled up in his eyes as the reality of it all caught up with him. He steered Zotos to his home. The burning hut collapsed as Zara arrived. He leapt from Zotos and run to the rubble to start digging. As the time passed Zara found nothing. He searched till there was nothing left. All he could do was scream.

Zara jumped from his sleep in the lounge chair and hit the deck plates hard. It took himself a few seconds to remember where he was. He heard the door to the cockpit open and Crysania ran in. " Are you ok? " she asked after finding Zara on the floor. Zara rolled to a sitting position and looked up to her. " Ya, guess I fell asleep in your chair. " Zara said as he wiped the drips of sweat from his face. Crysania held his gaze a moment. " Well I was going to wake ya in a bit anyway. We'll come out of hyperspace in about 30 minutes. Zara got up and headed to the cargo hold to brief the Togorians on what was happening. As Crysania's Voyager came out of hyperspace, Zara took over the comm to get authorization to land. "The medical staff will meet you at the landing pad to check on the refugee's, Commander." The Voice through the comm said. "Thank you." Zara replied. Then he switched off the comm. " Did you have to tell them they owed me a fare for transporting them? " Crysania asked. " They wouldn't have believed ya was doing it out of the kindness of your heart. This way they will believe it legit and not bother checking ya out. " Zara replied. Crysania steered the freighter smoothly to a landing and started the shutdown as Zara headed to the boarding ramp. Crysania headed down the ramp as Zara was handing his New Republic ID to the security officer. "Captain Crysania? " the officer asked. "Yes? " She replied. The officer handed her a credit voucher. " I was instructed that this is for you for your services to Togoria. " He said as he offered his hand. " Thank you for bringing them here. Any other services that the Commander has hired you for will have to come from him. " He finished. " Crysania looked at Zara. " I think he's good for it. " She replied as she shook the officers hand. " Will the voucher be good at the customs office? I would like to pick up some supplies and goods from here. " She said as she let go of the mans hand. "Yes Captain. Your ship has been authorized to occupy this platform till you are finished. " He replied. Crysania nodded her reply and turned to Zara. " Then this is where you'll find me when your ready to go. " Zara took his ID card back. " Thanks Captain. " He said in a formal tone. Crysania smiled and headed out of the spaceport. Zara turned back to the security officer. " I'm here to see my Uncle too. Where can I find information to locate somebody? " Zara asked. "You can give the name of who your looking for to the cab driver. They are able to get the info for you. " Was the reply as the officer started walking away. Zara decided they must be done with him and proceeded out of the port. There was no problem finding a driver, In fact he had to practically fight them off. Zara was amazed at how much Togoria had advanced while he was gone. After giving the name to the driver, it wasn't long till he was able to see the beautiful grasslands of the planet. This was the Togoria that Zara remembered. The driver came to a stop and referred to his onboard computer. Zara looked around at the empty space they had stopped at. None of the land was familiar to him. " Well, this is it. Says lot 223. " The driver said as he started to figure up his fare. Zara looked around again. His heart suddenly fell when his eyes found the Togorian burial grounds. The driver was about to ask for his fare when he realized that his customer didn't know his Uncle had passed away. " Oh geez, sorry man. I just figured you knew. Info says he passed away 2 years ago. " Said the driver trying to find an excuse. Zara didn't look at the driver. " Wait for me, I'll be right back. " Zara said in a dark tone. He got out of the cab and headed to the burial grounds. He found lot 223 and his fears had come true. Zara kneeled to his Uncle's headstone. " I'm sorry Thos, I didn't know. Please forgive me. " He said as the tears started to form. The return trip to the ship was a blurr. Crysania hadn't returned yet, And probably wouldn't for some time. She was expecting Zara to be gone for at least a day or two. Zara dropped himself in the lounge chair that he was about to call his own. " 2 Years. " Zara said out loud to himself. He couldn't believe he had failed his Uncle like this. He couldn't help but feel he had failed his Uncle in every way possible. Zara was losing his purpose. He didn't know what he was fighting for any more.


CHAPTER 6